Ask a Cat Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

How JustAnswer Works:

Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.

Get a Professional Answer

Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.Ask follow up questions if you need to.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Rate the answer you receive.

Ask Dr. Deb Your Own Question

Dr. Deb, Cat Veterinarian

Category: Cat

Satisfied Customers: 9142

Experience: I have been a practicing veterinarian for over 30 years.

60411192

Type Your Cat Question Here...

Dr. Deb is online now

my 4 year old she cat has started peeing on the floor in front

Customer Question

my 4 year old she cat has started peeing on the floor in front of the cat litter, Ive tried putting training mats in front of it I even put a pet bed in front of it and she peed on that too.Can you advise me on what to do next please.

I recently came online and see that your question about Suki hasn't been answered. I'm so sorry that you've had to wait for a response, but if you still need assistance, I'd like to help if I can.

Inappropriate urination issues can be extremely frustrating for both owner and vet alike.

They are going to be either secondary to a medical issue (lower urinary tract infection, bladder stones or Idiopathic which means we can't find an underlying cause) or behavioral.

If an underlying medical issue has been ruled out (urinalysis, culture and sensitivity, x-rays and/or ultrasound have been done), then you're left with a behavioral explanation for this behavior.

I'm assume for the sake of argument that her inappropriate urination is behavioral since she chooses to urinate in the same spot rather than all over the house but if at least a urinalysis hasn't been done, I'd suggest one just to confirm that it's clean.

As to what would trigger or cause this inappropriate behavior, well, that's sometimes a more difficult question to answer.

Cats can use urination (and sometimes defecation) as a means of communication with other cats and with humans; they are basically staking a territorial claim with their bodily fluids, Psychological stress, such as the presence of other cats, prolonged absence of the owner (who is usually viewed as a parent by the pet cat), or other problems may create a need for a cat to reassert a territorial claim. Other cats will behave this way because there is either something about the texture of the litter they don't like, the smell of the litter is objectionable, or they might have experienced pain/discomfort while urinating in the box and now want to avoid it.

Since litterbox issues are often the trigger for inappropriate urination problems , I'll summarize the results of studies done on litterbox preferences just to cover all the bases"

1. Some cats really like a very clean box; when it becomes dirtier than they prefer, they'll urinate elsewhere. So, the box should be scooped at least daily or twice daily and the entire box cleaned weekly with soap and water; avoid harsh smelling chemicals.

2. The number of boxes and size is important: The rule of thumb is one box/cat plus one box. A litter box length should be at least one and a half times the length of the cat (not including the tail) so they have adequate space to maneuver and cover their waste.

6. Cats don't like their boxes where there's a of noise or foot traffic; they prefer privacy. 7. Use of enzymatic cleaners to degrade the fecal material rather than just cover up the odor (the cats can still detect it) are preferred. If Suki urinates in one particular area more frequently , she may think that it's ok to do so snce the urine odor may linger.

Other helpful hints in addition to the above:

1. Use of Cat Attract in the litter

2. Sometimes confinement in a smaller room/space with food/water and the litter to "retrain" them can be useful.

3. If you think that stress may be a factor, use of Feliway diffusers or a spray (which are natural pheromones) may be of benefit since these products are intended to reduce anxiety. These products are available on the internet or at most pet stores.

I'm not familar with Serene UM calm drops although I suspect this may be something similar to Feliway but just an oral version. It might be worth it to try Feliway as well.

When all else fails and this is strictly behavioral in nature, I have treated these cats with drugs such as Prozac or Xanax which can be quite effective in the vast majority of cats with inappropriate urination issues. This may not be something that you'd want to consider right now, but at least you have the option.

What Customers are Saying:

It was so professional, so personally concerned (as we were) and you answered all of our questions. George and I are so happy that I found ""JustAnswer"" on my Google search -- you are now in my ""Favorites"" list! And, yes we do love our kitty - she makes our life complete!Bev & George

It was so professional, so personally concerned (as we were) and you answered all of our questions. George and I are so happy that I found ""JustAnswer"" on my Google search -- you are now in my ""Favorites"" list! And, yes we do love our kitty - she makes our life complete!Bev & George

Ask a Cat Veterinarian

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

50 Cat Veterinarians are Online Now

Type Your Cat Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.